This is one of my entries for the LJ Idol Season 10 (therealljidol) Break Week, the first of four poems. This one tackles the topic, "Kummerspeck."

Grief Bacon(a contemplation of the word "Kummerspeck")

I wrap my grief in bacon, gooeyand impermeable. Dusted with almond flour,sugar and salt. What choicedid I have, losing you so close to Thanksgiving? We ate your memory in a flaky crust.Cider turned to vinegar in our mouths.

My siblings, Dad, your partner's familygathered for a meal, memorial. Poured gravy over the things we could not say. OnThanksgiving, you do notassign blame (except perhapsunder your breath, secreted in the kitchen, shoving atasteless morsel into your mouth,to keep the words down). If only

that had ended it. But a yearof gnoshing and teeth-gnashingwould follow. A sour residueof your sudden passing, Mom.Nothing I ate could fillthe hole you left behind. And now

a smidge past the anniversary, Iemerge from the trough. Once cakedwith salt, I feel my encasementcrack. Leaving behind mea path strewn with crumbs.

Thank you! Yes, I did lose my mother shortly before Thanksgiving last year. I also put on 15 pounds of grief (but recently lost 7 of it). It's a process, but getting easier (both getting over grief and regaining fitness).